Written by Shannon Weir, RN | Updated on Mar 2, 2023
Gallus Medical Detox Centers, a nationally recognized Center of Excellence for inpatient medical detox, is launching a new substance use alert to inform providers of new and potentially dangerous trends happening across the country. With ten years of experience treating SUD patients, we have a unique front-line perspective in providing the medical assistance needed to help patients overcome addiction. We’re providing “The Pulse” to alert you to the use of new substances, legal and illegal, increasing severity within opioid, benzodiazepine, and stimulant epidemics, and complications brought on by increasing polysubstance use. We hope you find this information informative and useful in our fight against the growing problem of substance use disorders.
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What Is U-47700?
U-47700 is a synthetic opioid that is 7.5 – 8 times more potent than Morphine. In 2016, the DEA classified it as a Schedule 1 narcotic. It has had no medical use in the United States. It was originally developed by the pharmaceutical company Upjohn in the 1970s. It started emerging in 2014. It is also known as “pink,” “pinky,” and “pink heroin.”
Where Do People Get It?
U-47700 sold on the internet as a research chemical, it’s also sold on the street. It’s often pressed into pills and made to look like prescription Oxy IR, often combined with heroin or fentanyl.
What Makes It So Dangerous?
Research suggests that U-47700 has enhanced brain penetration, it’s more attracted to lipids than Morphine, which makes for a longer half-life (researchers think around 6.5 hours). It has been found in many counterfeit oxycodone tablets and is a key ingredient in “gray death.” There have been many overdose fatalities, contributed to Prince’s overdose and subsequent death. It is unable to be detected on most UDS screens, but LabCorp does have a test for it.
Gallus Medical Detox is the industry leader in medical detox, with clinics in Denver, CO and Scottsdale, AZ we provide inpatient detoxification with our evidence based IV method of detox. Our goal is to provide helpful alerts to those in the substance use disorder field, as well as the general public. Being ahead of the curve in the world of substance use is incredibly valuable.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we are here to help. At Gallus Medical Detox Centers, we bring compassion to the commotion. Peace to the pain. Empowerment to the powerless. If you or someone you know needs support with addiction problems, bring us your battle. Call us today and take the best, first step towards recovery: 720-704-1432
Shannon Weir, RN
Shannon Weir, RN is the Chief Nursing Officer at Gallus Medical Detox Centers. She has been a Registered Nurse for 30 years, Shannon’s experience ranges from critical care to flight nursing, medical detox, sexual assault exams, and SWAT nursing. Shannon has been with Gallus Medical Detox Centers since 2010 and is a vital part of our organization.
